Discharge lamp and means for oper ating the same



Feb. 20, 1940. J. s. SMITH El AL 2,190,687

DISCHARGE LAMP AND MEANS FOR OPERATING THE SAME Filed Dec. 28, 1936 El saia'a'aea'a" 11 Patented Feb. 20, 1940 msonmqa LAMP AND MEANS Fon. oran arms The SAME John S. Smith, Hazel Crest, and Floyd Dawson, Chicago Heights, Ill.

Application December 28, 1936, vSerial No. 117,706

sclaims.

Our invention relates in general to electrical apparatus and has more particular reference to an improved gaseous conduction device andimproved means for energizing the same.

An important object of the invention is to provide a gaseous conduction device, namely a lamp, having improved means for suppressing unwanted emanation produced by the operation of the lamp, which emanation may deleteriously affect the operation of sensitive equipment, such as a radio receiver, in the vicinity of the discharge device.

Another important object of the invention is to provide a discharge lamp adapted for operation in the vicinity of sensitive electrical equipment without interfering with the operation of such sensitive equipment; a-further and more specific object of the invention being'to provide a discharge lamp for use as a warning signal or an advertising sign or other attention arresting device on a vehicle, including means for energizing the lamp from the electrical power system of the vehicle without, however, interfering with the operation of a sensitive electrical.

device, such as a radio receiver, also powered from the electrical system of the vehicle.

Another important object is to provide a discharge lamp having screening means for suppressing undesired electrical disturbance emanating from the lamp when in operation; a further object being to provide lamp screening means which does not interfere with the visibility of the lamp when in operation.

Another important object is to screen a discharge lamp to-suppress electrical disturbance generated by the operation of the lamp and at the same time improve the visibility of the lamp.

Another important object is to utilize foraminous metallic means for the purpose of screening a discharge lamp in order to suppress electrical disturbance caused by the operation of the lamp, the screen being of a character to improve the visibility of the lamp; a further object being to utilize woven wirefabric as a screening means for a device of the character mentioned.

Another important object is to provide improved means for operating a discharge lamp from a uni-directional electrical power source of relatively low potential.

Another important object is to provide an improved power transformer for delivering electrical power at relatively high potential from a power source of relatively low potential, said transformer means having low potential portions arranged in novel fashion permitting the power transformation to be accomplished at maximum efliciency. I

Another important object is to provide a power transformer having ahigh potential winding and a plurality of low potential windings inductively coupled with the high potential winding, said low potential windings comprising conductor coils arranged in parallel interspaced relationship whereby the transformer is of minimum over-all size and whereinthe-inductive relation between each of said low potential windings and the high potential winding is substantially identical so as to permit the device to be used at maximum efficiency as a full wave transformer.

Another object of the invention resides in the manner of applying low potential windings in a transformer device by winding the several conductors forming the low potential windings in such a way that the corresponding portions of each of said windings are parallel and immediately adjacent to each other. Y

These and numerous other objects, advantages, and inherent functions of the invention will be apparent from the following description, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, discloses a preferred form of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figures 1 and 2 are diagrammatic representations of electrical systems embodying our presw ent invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the construction and method of making a transformer unit forming a part of the system shown in Figure 1;

Figures 4 and 5 are sectional views taken substantially along the lines 4-4 and 55 in Figure 1; and

Figure 6 is a perspective-viewillustrating a modified form of lamp embodying our invention. 0

To illustrate our invention we have shown on the drawing an electrical system H comprising means for delivering electrical energy at relatively high potential by transforming energy derived from a-relatively low potential source I3, and although in the illustrated embodiment we have shown this delivered energy utilized for the operation of a gaseous conduction element 15, it will be obvious that this phase of our invention at least is not necessarily restricted, to the particular load to which the delivered energy is applied. We have, however, illustrated our invention as applied particularly to the operation of the gaseous conduction lamp l5, containing improvements which render it well adapted for use tential power source |3 used in energizing the system N forms a. part of the electrical system of the vehicle. In such an arrangement the power source |3 may comprise a storage battery of the character usually employed in automotive vehicles for ignition, lighting, and for energizing electrical equipment as, for instance,

a radio receiver, ventilating fan, horn and the like forming apart of the vehicle equipment.

Our present invention relates also to the provision of a lamp embodying the gaseous conduction element l5 and includes the provision of an improved lamp mounting l1 which is formed with means for screening the element l5 in order to suppress, confine and/or eliminate electrical disturbance, initiating at the lamp element |5 when the same is in operation, in order to prevent such disturbance from deleteriously affecting the operation of sensitive equipment, such as a radio receiver mounted in the vehicle.

The power transforming system H comprises a transformer I9 having a high potential winding 2| and low potential windings 23 preferably comprising a plurality of sections 25, 21 inductively coupled with the winding 2|, the coupling between the winding 2| and the sections 25 and 21 being substantially identical. In the illustrated embodiment the sections 25, 21 of the low potential windings are connected together at one end as at 29 and, through a suitable control switch 3| to one side of the power source I3. The opposite ends of the winding sections 25. and 21 are connected respectively to the stationary contacts 35 and 31 of a circuit changer 33 which is preferably a vibrator having, in addition to the stationary contacts 35 and 31, a reed 39 suitably anchored in position to oscillate between the stationary contacts and alternately engage the same. The reed 39 may be and preferably is anchored at one end and electrically connected in any suitable manner, as indicated at 4|, with the power source I3, this connection 4| being preferably accomplished by grounding the anchored end of the reed and grounding the side of the power source l3 opposite from the switch 3|. The reed is also provided with an armature 43 in position to be influenced by an actuating coil 45 which in turn is connected in any suitable manner, as

between one of the stationary contact sets and the power source l3, in order that the coil 45 may be periodically energized,by connection with the power source, and de-energized as a result of the vibration of the reed. In theillustrated embodiment the reed actuating coil 45 is connected between the stationary contact set 31 and the connection 4|.

The reed 39 is preferably positioned so that the armature 43 is normally offset with respect to the coil 45 so that, when the apparatus ,is at rest, the reed engages and makes electrical contact withone or other of the stationary contact sets 35, 31, thus placing one of the windings 25, 21 in circuit with the power source l3. In the illustrated embodiment, the reed 38 is thus biased to engage the contact set which is not connected with the coil 45, i. e., the contact set 35. Upon .closure of the switch 3|, a surge of electrical current will take place through the low potential winding section 25 thus placed in circuit with the power source. At thesame instant the coil 45 will be energized in a direction to draw the reed 43 out of engagement with the contact set 35 and project the same .into engagement with winding section 21 is at all times in circuit with the power source |3 through the winding 45. However, this winding 45 is of relatively high resistance, so that little current may flow initially through the winding section 21. As soon as the reed 39 disengages the contact set 35,'current flow through the winding section 25 will be discontinued. When the reed engages the contact set 31, however, the high resistance winding 45 will be short-circuited and a relatively large flow of currentwill be permitted to flow through the winding section 21. As soon as the reed 39 engages the contact set 31, the coil 45 is short circuited and becomes de-energized, thereby releasing the armature 43 so that the reed, under its normal bias, may return toward the contact set 35, thus disengaging the contact set 31 and discontinuing the relatively large current flow in the winding section 21. In this manner a relatively large current flow may be initiated alternately through the winding sections 25 and 21 which, due to the inductive relationship between said winding sections and the winding 2|, will result in the development of relatively high alternating or fluctuating potential between the opposite ends of the winding 2|. A condenser 38 maybe connected between 'each of the contact sets 35 and 31 and the reed 39 to reduce arcing at the contacts as the circuits are interrupted.

The development of the relatively high value alternating potential may be accomplished by connecting the low voltage winding sections 25, 21 in other than the manner illustrated. For example, in Figure 2 of the drawing we have illus- I the arrangement shown in Figure 1 will be approximately doubleflthe alternating frequency produced from the arrangement shown in Fig-, ure 2 assuming that the vibrating period of the reed 39 is the same in both arrangements. The amplitude of the alternating potential developed from the arrangement shown in Figure 1, however, will be somewhat less than that of alternating potential developed from the arrangement shown in Figure 2.

One of the features of the power transforming .system H resides in the construction of the transformer I9. This transformer comprises a core 41 of any suitable or preferred form upon which the high potential winding 2| is arranged preferably as a plurality of layers 49 suitably insulated from each other and from the core 41. A layer of insulation 5| is preferably applied upon thev winding 49 and the low potential winding sections 25, 21 are applied outwardly of said layer of insulation 5|. The sections 25, 21 each .comprise an electrical conductor, the section 25 comprising the conductor 55 and the section 21 comprising a conductor 51. These conductors are arranged in parallel adjacent relationship and so wound together in place, as clearly illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawing. Each of the corresponding portions of the conductors 55,- 51 occupies parallel adjacent positions and the inductive relationship of both sections and 21, with respect to the high potential winding II, is substantially identical. The conductors 8!, Il may be arranged to form a plurality of layers 58 as clearly shown in Figure 3 of the drawing, each layer insulated from the other by insulation 88.

As heretofore stated, our invention relates also to the provision of an improved gaseous conduction lamp andmounting II, which is formed with means for screening the element l5 to prevent the emission of electrical disturbance caused by the operation of the lamp element.

To this end, the mounting ll comprises a preferably metallic casing in which the lamp element I5 is suitably mounted, the casing I! having an opening through which the lamp element is visible. This opening may be covered by any preferred translucent or transparent material, such as the glass pane 6 l, which of course may be supported and secured on the casing I! in any preferred fashion. In order to prevent the emanation of undesirable electrical disturbance, we also enclose the lamp in a suitable shield, preferably comprising a metallic material, which is arranged in such a way as to avoid obscuring the visibility of the lamp through the opening of the casing. Where the casing itself is of metallic material, it may form a part of the screen. The screen preferably comprises a metallic network, preferably in the form of a Woven wirescreen 63, although of course the metallic network may be formed otherwise than as a woven wire screen. The screen 63 may of course be embedded in the transparent pane 6i and formed therein in any suitable convenient or preferred manner. However, the screen element 63 may also be conveniently produced as an element separate from the pane SI and arranged in the assembly immediately behind the pane and between it and the lamp element l 5. We prefer also that the screen 63 be electrically connected, as by contact at its edges with the casing l7, and to this end, as shown in Figures 1 and 4 of the drawing, the casing l'l comprises a rectangular, elongated, preferably metallic box having suitable mounting lugs and having one side open. The box internally is provided with means forming seats 61 at the open side for-receiving the transparent element 6| and the screen element 63, and these parts may be held in place by any suitable clip means, such as the frame 68 adapted to be secured on the box as by means of the fastening screws 'H or otherwise, the frame 7 having portions I3 adapted to overlie the marginal edges of the pane SI and keep it and the screen element 63 in place. The lamp l5 may be a gaseous conduction tube of usual form having electrode chambers 15 formed at its opposed ends. The usual connection wires 'I'I may extend from the electrode chamber 15, and oneof these wires 11 is preferably grounded'on the casing 11, as at 19, while the other connection wire is preferably heavily insulated and led out of the casing I! through an insulating sleeve 8| mounted in a wall of the casing in any preferred manner. In order to provide for energizing the lamp IS, the conductor 11, which extends from the casing through the insulating sleeve 8|, is electrically connected to one end of the high potential winding 2 I, while the other end of said winding is connected in any suitable manner to the casing I1, thus making an electrical connection between the conductor 11 whichis grounded at 19 on the casing H.

The winding 2! may of course be connected to the casing i! by means of an electrical conductor, although where the system of our present invention is mounted'in an automotive vehicle, the casing I! may be'electrically connected to the frame of the vehicle and grounded thereon, and the winding 2] likewise may be grounded to the frame of the vehicle in order thus to complete the lamp energizing circuit.-

In Figure 6 of the drawing we have shown a modified form of lamp mounting wherein the casing I1 is of generally wedge-shaped configuration providing a chamber 83 at the apex of the preferably rounded as at 81 and provide a window The chamber 89 opening into the chamber 83. 83 also has an additional window 8! in a side of the casing, extending at right angles with respect to the walls containing the window 89, while the chamber 85 likewise has a window 93, preferably extending substantially in a common plane with the window 9i. The chamber 83 may contain a suitable lamp, for example an incandescent lamp,- of the character usually employed in vehicle warning lamps. The window 9| also may carry a red bulls eye lens, while the window 89 may be fitted with a transparent, preferably glass, window pane. Suitable bracket means also may be attached to the casing for the purpose of mounting it in position as on the frame of a vehicle, and the bracket means may also serve to support a license tag in position to be illuminated by light penetrating from the lamp within the chamber 83 through the window 88. Light rays from the same lamp penetrating the window 9| may serve as a tail light.

The compartment 85, however, may serve as a housing for a gaseous conduction lamp 81 adapted to be intermittently energized as a stop signal, by connecting the same in the manner shown in Figure 1 of thedrawing. The window 85 may contain a suitable transparent pane in conjunction with a screen for suppressing electrical disturbances emanating from the lamp 91 when in operation, and the pane and screen in the window 85 may be arranged ahd mounted in the manner heretofore mentioned in connection with the lamp shown in Figure 4 of the drawing.

An important feature of our present invention,

resides in the fact that a foraminous wire screen 63, when arranged in front of a gaseous conduction lamp, does not impair the visibility of the lamp, providing the screen is of suiiiciently wide mesh. On the contrary, the presence of a foraminated screen actually improves the visibility of the lamp by eliminating halation. At the same, time, if a screen having excessively large openings is employed, the suppression of electrical disturbance as well as the anti-halation characteristics of the lamp is impaired. We consequently prefer to employ wire mesh of the order of eight strands per linear inch, so that the open-,

claimedasnewandisdesiredtobesecuredby" Letters Patent of the United States is as follows:

. 1. A lamp comprising a casing adapted to re-v ceive a gaseous conduction lamp element therein,

said casing having an opening for displaying the lamp element, and a metallic screen in said opening for substantially covering said lamp, said screen comprising a metallic layer having f oraminations therein of suflicient size to avoid impairment of the visibility of the lamp through said opening.

2. A lamp. comprising a casing adapted toreceive a gaseous conduction lamp element therein,

said casing having an opening for displaying the lamp element, and a metallic screen in said opening for substantially covering said lamp, said screen comprising. a woven'wire netting forming a metallic layer havingforaminations therein of sufllcient size to avoid impairment of the visibility of the lamp through said opening.

3. A lamp cor'nprisinga metallic casing adapted to receive a gaseous conduction lamp element therein, said casing having an opening for displaying the lamp element, and a metallic screen in said opening whereby said screen, together with said metallic casing, provides a shield for screening the lamp element against the-emission of electrical disturbances caused by the operation of the lamp element; said screen comprising a metallic layer having foraminations therein 01 sufllcient size to avoid impairment" of the visibility of the lamp through said opening.

4. Alamp comprising a metallic'casing adapted to receive a gaseous conduction lamp element therein, said casing having an opening for displaying the lamp element, and a metallic screen in said opening whereby said screen, together with said metallic casing, provides a shield for screening the lamp element against the emission of electrical disturbances caused by the operation of a the lamp. element, said screen comprising woven wire fabric electrically connected with the metallic casing.

5. A lamp comprising a casing adapted to receive a gaseous conduction lamp element therein said casing having an opening for displaying the lamp element, and a metallic screen in said opening .Ior substantially covering said lamp, said screen comprising a metallic layer having foraminations therein of sufficient size to avoid impairment or the visibility of the lamp through said opening, the lamp element comprising a tube electrically connected at one end on the casing and provided with a conductor at the other end of the tubasaid conductor extending outwardly of said casing and being insulated therefrom whereby. the tube may be electrically connected to an external source ofelectrical power.

6. A lamp comprising a casing having partition means forming a plurality of lamp chambers within the casing on opposite sides of the partition means, said casing having window openings in a side thereof opening into each of said chambers, another side of said casing havinga window opening upon at least one of said chambers, means for mounting a lamp in said chamber, means for mounting a gaseous conduction lamp in the other chamber, and a foraminous metallic screen in the window opening of the chamber containing the gaseous conduction lamp.

7. A lamp comprising a casing, means forming a plurality of windows in a side of said casing, one of said windows having a colored window element therein, said casing having means to support a lamp therein in position to shine through said colored window element, means to support a. gaseous conduction lamp element in said casing in position to shine through another of said window openings, and a metallic screen disposed in saidcasing in position with respect to the gaseous conduction lamp element to suppress electrical disturbances emanating therefrom when the same is in operation, said metallic screen including a portion extending in the window opening through which said gaseous conduction lamp element is visible, and said portion said compartments, and a metallic screen in the opening of the compartment containing the gaseous conduction lamp element, said screen comprising a metallic layer .having foraminations therein 0! sufllcient size to avoid impairment of the visibility of the lamp through said openingcontaining the'screen.

3 JOHN S. SMITH.

FLOYD DAWSON. 

